Tired of spending too much money on your Satellite TV bill? Well for around $50 you can purchase and easily install an HDTV Antenna that will give you quality HD TV programming. Of course you will not get as many channels as before using DirecTV, but there are hundreds of channels available broadcast into the airwaves for free from the stations you already know and love. This is a tutorial for most people who can no longer afford the cost of satellite television. Cancelling DirecTV or Dish Network will save you from $75 to $300 dollars a month. Admit it, most of the channels that you are paying your hard earned dollars for are completely worthless. Cancel the service, buy an HD Antenna, and get Netflix. You will not miss most of the TV you watch and you will be saving mountains of money per year. So ditch the monthly bill and follow our tutorial below for saving your money…
Step 1: CANCEL SATELLITE TELEVISION
Step 2: Buy an HD (High Definition) Television Antenna.
Here is the HDTV Antenna we purchased from Amazon for around $50 dollars.
(You may also need a coax cable splitter, antenna amplifier signal booster, or new coax cable)
Step 3: Remove the cone and place the HD Antenna on your existing Satellite Dish.
Step 4: Install the U-bolt that is included with the antenna and secure it tightly in place.
Step 5: Connect the already existing coaxial cable to the HD Antenna.
(The cable is already going from your TV from the dish, so just disconnect and re-attach to the hd antenna)
Step 6: Check all connections to make sure everything is secure and tight.
Step 7: There should already be a coaxial cable going into your home from the roof.
If it was disconnected then look along the side of your home for a connection like this and plug back in.
Step 8: The next process involves finding out which direction in the sky your local channels are in.
You will need to point your antenna in a certain direction for best reception depending on where you live.
Go to Antenna Web, FCC DTV MAPS, or Antenna Point and type in your info to find out which way to point your HDTV antenna.
Once you have the correct direction located, point your antenna/dish in that direction.
Step 9: Turn on your TV and set it to “Antenna” and let it “Find” the available free stations.
Then check the signal meter to see if it is strong.
If all is good you are done! Free HDTV!
HDTV That is broadcast free is from 720p to 1080p HD quality!
Of course you do not need an old dish to install a new HD Antenna.
You can install one in your attic too if you desire.
But remember that HDTV Antennas work best when attached to a roof and there are no obstructions.
Here is a small chart for “how to connect and combine signals from 2 antennas facing different directions” if needed.
Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 30+ years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.
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Any ideas why all but (1) network broadcast channel (NBC 12 in Phoenix) would come in?
Frances,
You need to go into the TV menu and set the TV to ANTENNA. Right now it is probably on CABLE. What brand and model TV do you have?
-RR
How do I change my TV back so i can search for channels for a antenna tv. The dish tech set the tv on channel 60 so the satellite would work, but I can only see what is playing in the den, I have no box to work this TV. I hooked the antenna back up to the TV and disconnected the satellite cable but when I search for channels it still remains on 60.
Carol Wallin,
Are the 3 wires the same color? Are all 3 threaded into a small metal box? There is probably 3 that go into different parts of your home from the outside. Can you describe or explain more in detail? Can you refer us to a picture of what you are looking at?
-RR
I have 3 wires going to the Dish which one will I use for your antenna?
I think we’ll give it a try and since the dish is mounted on a pole we may be able to add an extension to raise it up. We are about 5 miles from the TV Towers that are located in Mason City, Iowa.
I’ll keep you posted!
Jody,
It may or may not. How high will the antenna be mounted? Are you close enough to the TV towers to get HDTV? Which antenna are you going to be using? Which city do you live in?
-RR